The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region, Ing. Hamidu Abdallah, has vehemently denied allegations that he is involved in illegal mining, asserting that the claims are a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation. The denial follows a series of allegations by a group of Assembly Members in the district concerning activities allegedly orchestrated by him and his associates, leading to degradation of farmlands and water bodies within communities including Beposo, Yaase, Adwafo, Amakom, and Konkoma. The Assembly Members, led by Assembly Member Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor, have accused the DCE of collaborating with illegal miners, alleging a pattern of ongoing mining operations in these areas. Nana Akwasi Asare Nyansapor stated, ‘The DCE, Hamidu, is colluding with illegal miners to degrade our environment. Right now, illegal mining is ongoing in some communities.’ The Assembly Members further asserted that the DCE had previously denied the existence of illegal mining in the district until a recent regional task force operation led to the seizure of five excavators. They have threatened to petition President John Dramani Mahama and pursue a vote of no confidence against the DCE. Ing. Abdallah, however, strongly rejected these allegations, insisting that he has never been involved in mining, whether legal or illegal, in his entire life. He stated, ‘I have never been involved in any form of mining, be it legal or illegal, in my entire life, let alone illegal mining. I have no concession, no excavator, and no hand in galamsey anywhere in Bosomtwe.’ Furthermore, he denied claims that he had sought to conceal the existence of illegal mining in the district, claiming his administration had instead been actively involved in efforts to curb the practice. According to him, the Assembly has been particularly focused on protecting areas around Lake Bosomtwe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Ing. Abdallah explained that a recent operation involving the seizure of five excavators and the dismantling of pumping machines was carried out under his leadership, in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the District Security Council (DISEC). He stated, ‘How can I be the one leading the operation to seize excavators and at the same time be accused of owning those same excavators? The logic does not hold.’ He subsequently wrote to the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Minerals Commission requesting that mining licenses within the enclave be reviewed and that a task force be deployed to the area. ‘The Assembly was duly informed. The Presiding Member and key stakeholders were part of engagements after the operation. So to say the Assembly was kept in the dark is factually incorrect,’ he added. Ing. Abdallah said he had instructed his lawyers to take legal action against Nana Asare Akwasi Nyansapor over the allegations. ‘As for the allegations of illegal mining levelled against me, I will never forgive them. I have instructed my lawyer to file a lawsuit against the accuser to compel him to provide evidence of my involvement in such activities before the court,’ he said. The DCE attributed the allegations to internal political disagreements, alleging that some Assembly Members were frustrated after attempts to secure mining-related favors in the district were blocked. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the environment, water bodies and farmlands in the Bosomtwe District. The situation continues to escalate, with the Assembly Member and the DCE engaging in public statements and legal action, raising concerns about the potential for further conflict and the impact on the region’s resources.”}”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
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Source: MyJoyOnline
